A Decade of Achievements: International Society of Paediatric Oncology Baseline Nursing Standards.

The six International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Baseline Nursing Standards provide the first evidence-based framework for assessing and improving pediatric oncology nursing practice settings in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Over the past 10 years, the standards have been translated to six languages, endorsed by 13 organizations, surveyed at 101 hospitals in 54 countries, and initiatives have been documented at over 63 institutions in 31 countries. Going forward, the SIOP Nursing Network's Baseline Standards Special Interest Group has established a 5-year strategic plan to guide advocacy, research, and standards implementation through global multidisciplinary collaboration.

Organization of shared care networks and their role in overcoming challenges and enhancing outcomes for childhood cancer: A systematic review.

This systematic review examines shared care networks (SCNs) in pediatric oncology as a strategic response to the healthcare challenges in low- and middle-income countries. SCNs integrate specialized hubs with local satellite centers to enhance accessibility and quality of care. Our methodology included a search of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus, selecting peer-reviewed articles from the last 20 years.

Burkitt lymphoma: The effect of age, sex and delay to diagnosis on treatment completion and outcome of treatment in 934 Patients in Cameroon.

Introduction: The role of age and sex in the presentation and outcome of endemic Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has not been studied recently. This study analysed these factors in 934 patients with BL who had received cyclophosphamide and intrathecal methotrexate as treatment.

Methods: Records of 934 children diagnosed with BL from 2004 to 2015 were obtained from our Paediatric Oncology Networked Database (POND) cancer registry.

Current status and priorities of paediatric oncology nursing in Africa: a synthesis of perspectives from SIOP Africa nurses.

Introduction: As African countries adopt the global goal of improving childhood cancer survival to 60% by 2030, intentional actions are required to improve nursing. This report aims to describe the current status of paediatric oncology nursing in Africa.

Methods: We report on nursing-related aspects of a survey to map paediatric oncology services in Africa (2018-2019), document perceived nursing strengths and weaknesses (2017) and share nurses' research priorities (2019).

Evaluation of a Health Care Worker Training Intervention to Improve the Early Diagnosis and Referral of Childhood Cancers in Ghana: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Purpose: This study sought to (1) evaluate the perceived effectiveness of an early childhood cancer warning signs and symptoms (EWSS) training intervention on health care worker (HCW) knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice; (2) evaluate the ease of implementation of training received, including potential barriers and facilitators; and (3) provide insights into program improvements for future iterations of the intervention.

Method: Using a qualitative descriptive study design, we conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with 23 purposively sampled Ghanaian HCW recipients of the EWSS training intervention. We undertook iterative thematic analysis of data concurrently with interviews and used a modified version of the theoretical framework of acceptability to guide the evaluation of the training intervention.

Survey of the use of traditional and complementary medicine among children with cancer at three hospitals in Cameroon.

Introduction: There is lack of diagnostic and treatment resources with variable access to childhood cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), which may lead to subsequent poor survival. The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) used in Cameroon. Secondarily, we explored determinants of T&CM use, associated costs, perceived benefits and harm, and disclosure of T&CM use to medical team.

Outcome of retinoblastoma treatment protocol in Cameroon as per SIOP-PODC recommendation for a low-income setting.

Introduction: The International Society of Paediatric Oncology-Paediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (SIOP-PODC) group recommended graduated-intensity retinoblastoma treatment for children in low- and middle-income countries with limited local resources.

Aim: The aim was to improve outcome of children with retinoblastoma by means of a treatment protocol for low-income settings as recommended by the SIOP-PODC recommendation in Cameroon.

Methods: Children diagnosed with retinoblastoma between 2012 and 2016 were treated in two Baptist Mission hospitals in Cameroon, staging according to the International Retinoblastoma Staging System.

Treatment abandonment: A report from the collaborative African network for childhood cancer care and research-CANCaRe Africa.

Background: 'Treatmentabandonment' is a common and preventable cause of childhood cancer treatment failure in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Risk factors and effective interventions in LMIC are reported. Poverty and costs of treatment are perceived as overriding causes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Early death and treatment-related mortality: A report from SUCCOUR - Supportive Care for Children with Cancer in Africa.

Background: Deaths during paediatric cancer treatment are common in Africa. It is often difficult to distinguish between treatment-related and disease-related causes. To prevent these deaths, it is important to study them and identify the cause.

Fever and neutropenia outcomes and areas for intervention: A report from SUCCOUR - Supportive Care for Children with Cancer in Africa.

Background: Death during paediatric cancer treatment is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Using the infrastructure of Supportive Care for Children with Cancer in Africa (SUCCOUR), our objective was to describe fever and neutropenia (FN) characteristics and outcomes in order to identify potential areas for future intervention.

Methods: A multicentre prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.

Two decades of childhood cancer care in Cameroon: 2000-2020.

Background: Before the year 2000, there was no dedicated childhood cancer service in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to investigate the progress made with pediatric oncology care in Cameroon from 2000 to 2020.

Method: A literature search was conducted for published articles on childhood cancer in Cameroon and relevant documents, and conference abstracts were reviewed.

The outcome and cost of a capacity-building training programme on the early recognition and referral of childhood cancer for healthcare workers in North-West Cameroon.

Aim: Early cancer diagnosis is necessary to improve survival rates. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome and cost of the childhood cancer training programme amongst healthcare workers.

Design: This was a prospective pre-post study design, using questionnaires for pre- and post-training testing.

The Evolution of a Hospital-Based Cancer Registry in Northwest Cameroon from 2004 to 2015.

Effective cancer registration is required for the development of cancer management policies, but is often deficient in the developing world. In 2008 cancer registration was set up Banso Baptist Hospital and Mbingo Baptist Hospital in the Northwest region of Cameroon, using the Pediatric Oncology Networked Database (POND). The objective of this study was to analyze the POND registry data for patients with cancer aged 0-15 years for the period 2004-15.

Nutritional traditional and complementary medicine strategies in pediatric cancer: A narrative review.

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) strategies are commonly used by pediatric cancer patients. Nutritional approaches to T&CM include bioactive compounds, supplements, and herbs as well as dietary approaches. Pediatric cancer patients and their families commonly request and use nutritional T&CM strategies.

Improvement of overall survival in the Collaborative Wilms Tumour Africa Project.

Introduction: The Collaborative Wilms Tumour (WT) Africa Project implemented an adapted WT treatment guideline in six centres in sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objectives were to describe abandonment of treatment, death during treatment, event-free survival (EFS) and relapse following implementation. An exploratory objective was to compare outcomes with the baseline evaluation, a historical cohort preceding implementation.

Destitution, treatment adherence and survival of children with Burkitt lymphoma in a twinning programme in Northwest Cameroon.

Background: Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a curable childhood cancer. Treatment adherence is crucial for a good outcome, but is potentially problematic in low- and middle-income countries owing to parental financial constraints.

Aims: To investigate the association of destitution with treatment adherence and its effect on the survival of patients with BL.

Highlights from the 13th African Continental Meeting of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), 6-9 March 2019, Cairo, Egypt.

The 13th African continental meeting of the international society of paediatric oncology, held on 6-9 March 2019 in Cairo, was organised in collaboration with the Children Cancer Hospital (57357) in Egypt and the global parents' organisation (Childhood Cancer International) and supported by a large international faculty. With 629 delegates from 37 countries (24 African), this was the largest forum of healthcare professionals focused on children and young people with cancer in Africa to showcase advances and discuss further improvements. Three targeted workshops, on nursing care, pharmacy and nutrition, attracted large numbers and catalysed new collaborative initiatives in supportive care studies, extended roles for pharmacists in quality control and care delivery and addressed malnutrition concurrently with cancer treatment.

Disparities in the delivery of pediatric oncology nursing care by country income classification: International survey results.

Background: In 2014, a task force of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Paediatric Oncology in Developing Countries Nursing Workgroup published six baseline standards to provide a framework for pediatric oncology nursing care in low- and lower-middle income countries (L/LMIC). We conducted an international survey in 2016-2017 to examine the association between country income level and nurses' resporting of conformity to the standards at their respective institutions.

Procedure: Data from a cross-sectional web-based survey completed by nurses representing 54 countries were analyzed (N = 101).

Global Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Childhood Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Purpose Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) strategies are commonly used in pediatric oncology. Patterns may vary based on country income. We systematically reviewed published studies describing T&CM use among pediatric oncology patients in low-income countries (LIC/LMIC), middle-income countries (UMIC), and high-income countries (HIC).

Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Pediatric Oncology and Low-Middle Income Countries: Recommendations from the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), T&CM Collaborative.

Significant strides have been made in the treatment of childhood cancer. Improvements in survival have led to increased attention toward supportive care indications; including the use of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM). The use of T&CM among children and adolescents with cancer is well documented in both high-income countries (HICs) and low-middle income countries (LMICs).